Terms Glossary

Absentee voting is a method that allows voters to participate in an election without having to be physically present at a polling place or vote center on election day. This option is particularly valuable for individuals who, for various reasons, cannot make it to the polls on election day. To cast ...

An absolute majority occurs when a single political party or candidate wins more than 50% of the total number of votes cast. This often happens in the two-party system, in which one party is able to secure more than half of the votes. Absolute majorities can also occur in multi-party systems, under ...

In the political context, abuse of discretion refers to the improper use of judgment or decision-making power by government officials or public bodies. This occurs when an official exceeds the bounds of their legal authority, acts in a way that no reasonable official would, or makes decisions based ...

The phrase "abuse of power" refers to actions by people in positions of authority that exceed the limits of their roles and are intended to benefit their own interests at the expense of others. The abuse of power can happen in a variety of contexts, including in the workplace, religious institutions...

To adjourn is to conclude a meeting or session with the intention of resuming it at a later time. In a political context, adjournment refers to the formal process of ending a legislative or governmental session temporarily, often with the plan to reconvene at a specified date or time. This can apply...

An affidavit is a written statement, made under oath, that is used as evidence in a court of law. It is typically used when a witness is unable to appear in court, or when a party wants to provide a written statement for the court. The affidavit is signed by the affiant (the person making the statem...

In the United States, an Agriculture Commissioner is an elected or appointed official responsible for promoting and regulating agriculture within a state. The specific duties of the Agriculture Commissioner vary from state to state, but generally include regulating agricultural products, promoting a...

An alderman is an elected member of a local government who represents a specific ward or district within a municipality. Aldermen or alderpersons are responsible for enacting local laws, ordinances, and policies that impact daily life. They participate in city council meetings, debate and vote on le...

An amendment is a formal change or addition made to a law, document, or constitution. Amendments are commonly used to update, clarify, or improve existing laws, or to introduce new provisions that reflect the evolving needs and values of society. Although amendments can be used to update any contrac...

American exceptionalism is the belief that the United States is unique among all other nations in the world due to its political, economic, and cultural values. This concept often manifests as a belief in the nation's exceptional or superior ability to lead the world and serve as a role model for ot...

The American Independent Party is a far-right political party founded in 1967 by Bill Shearer and his wife, Eileen Knowland Shearer. In the 1968 presidential election, the American Independent Party nominated George Wallace, who secured the electoral votes of five states. Since then, no third-party ...

The American Solidarity Party (ASP) is a Christian democratic political party in the United States, founded in 2011 and officially incorporated in 2016. It represents a unique blend of social conservatism and economic interventionism, drawing heavily from Christian democratic traditions, Catholic so...

Anarchism is a political ideology that rejects the concept of a coercive government, advocating instead for collective self-governance and mutual aid. Central to anarchism is the belief that humans are capable of organizing themselves into systems of order and justice without the need for oppressive...

Anonymous contributions refer to monetary or non-monetary donations given to a cause or organization without the identity of the donor being disclosed or made public. They are a form of philanthropy that allows for individuals to support causes or organizations of their choice without fear of backla...

An appointed incumbent is an individual who has been appointed to an office, typically by the government, rather than being elected or voted in by the public. This system grants the government the authority to select officeholders, bypassing the electoral process. 

Appropriation is the process of allocating funds for specific governmental or organizational purposes. In the context of American politics, appropriation provides government agencies with the authority to allocate funds for specific purposes. Each year, Congress passes twelve appropriation acts, in ...

An approval rating measures the percentage of people who approve of a political leader’s performance in office. It’s one of the most common tools used by pollsters and media outlets to gauge public opinion about elected officials, policies, and government institutions.

Approval voting is an electoral system that allows voters to express support for as many candidates as they wish, rather than being limited to selecting just one. Under this system, voters simply mark the candidates that they approve of on their ballot, and the candidate with the most votes wins the...

The attorney general is a high-ranking government official who is responsible for providing legal advice to the government and prosecuting criminal cases on behalf of the state or federal government. The attorney general is the chief legal advisor to the president, the U.S. Congress, and the federal...

An audit is an official verification of accounts and records performed by someone independent of the organization being examined. Audits can be conducted on a voluntary or mandatory basis. In many situations, they are essential to ensuring accuracy and transparency. Examples of audits include those ...

An auditor is a professional responsible for conducting audits. Audits involve the thorough examination and evaluation of financial records, operations, and procedures to ensure accuracy, compliance with laws and regulations, and efficient management of resources.

Authoritarianism is a form of governance where political power is concentrated in a single ruler or ruling party, with little to no opposition or accountability. It is characterized by a top-down decision-making process, where citizens are subjected to a strict set of laws, regulations, and rules wi...

Automatic Voter Registration is a system that automatically registers eligible citizens to vote when they interact with certain government agencies, such as the Department of Motor Vehicles or a social services office. The goal of AVR is to increase voter turnout and eliminate barriers to voting, su...